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Cherry Blossoms in Shikoku: 8 Locations With Stunning Scenery
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This article features cherry blossom spots in Shikoku, from famous places like Mt. Shiude and Ritsurin Garden in Kagawa, Mt. Sekizen in Ehime, Yaoyorozu no Kami no Goten in Tokushima, and Hyotan Sakura Park in Kochi, all the way to easily accessible blossom spots.
Written by
Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan
I worked in a PR agency for corporate IR/CSR and a publisher which publishes a magazine focused on international cooperation before joining MATCHA in October 2017.
In April 2019, I moved to Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture. I write articles for tourists visiting Japan, and also contribute to regional revitalization.
My main focus is on writing about internet services, rental cars, hotels, and tourist attractions in western Japan.
Shikoku: Cherry Blossoms and Sea Views
Japan's Shikoku Region ranked 6th in the regional category of Lonely Planet's Best in Travel Regions 2022.
Shikoku has its own unique charms including the pilgrimage of 88 temples and Setouchi Triennale.
There are several spots in Shikoku where you can enjoy the cherry blossoms with the sea, mountains, and castles in the background. This article introduces eight wonderful cherry blossom spots in Shikoku.
Please check the chart below for the start of the cherry blossom season and the best viewing times in each of Shikoku's four prefectures.
| Typical Start of Cherry Blossom Season | Full Bloom (Estimated) | |
| Kagawa (Takamatsu City) | March 27 | April 4 |
| Ehime (Matsuyama City) | March 24 | April 3 |
| Tokushima (Tokushima City) | March 28 | April 4 |
| Kochi (Kochi City) | March 22 | March 30 |
1. Mt. Shiude in Kagawa
Mt. Shiude, located in Mitoyo, a city in Kagawa's western region, is one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in the Setouchi Region. It was also featured in the New York Times' 52 Places to Go in 2019, citing the spectacular views of the Seto Island Sea and other islands together with the cherry blossoms.
During the blossom season, Mt. Shiude has some entry restrictions. If visiting by car you'll need to make a reservation beforehand (not required if visiting on foot). For details please refer to the Mitoyo Tourism and Exchange Authority's official homepage.
In the vicinity of Mt. Shiude, there's also Chichibugahama Beach, a famous scenic spot, as well as Takaya Shrine which offers stunning panoramic views of the city. These are must-visit locations for camera enthusiasts!
Mt. Shiude
〒769-1105 Takumamachi, Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture
Mt. Shiude (352m above sea level) is located on the Shonai Peninsula in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture. If you walk along a promenade rich in nature and aim for the summit, you will see the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the Seto Inland Sea. The summit is one of the most beautiful spots in the prefecture where you can overlook the Seto Inland Sea. In addition, seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms in spring and hydrangeas in early summer, beautifully color the mountains. In recent years, Yahoo! JAPAN's "15 Best Cherry Blossom Views That Japan Is Proud Of" and "I Want To See Before I Die! Amazing Views Of The World: Japan Edition" (by Shiho), and have been featured in the New York Times in the United States.
2. Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu
Photo by Pixta
Ritsurin Garden is just a 20-minute walk from JR Takamatsu Station. It is the largest traditional Japanese garden designated as a cultural asset in Japan.
The view of the garden with Mt. Shiude standing in the background creates a deeply attractive landscape. It received the highest rating of three stars in Michelin Green Guide Japan.
Inside the garden, about 320 cherry trees of the Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura varieties have been planted. When the cherry blossom season arrives, they also hold evening illuminations. For details see the Ritsurin Garden official homepage.
Ritsurin Garden
760-0073 1-20-16 Ritsurin-cho, Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture
Ritsurin Garden is a Japanese garden consisting of six ponds and thirteen artificial hills. Mount Shiun stands tall in the background, integrating with the garden to create a magnificent landscape. The illumination in autumn is particularly noteworthy. The bright red leaves are illuminated, and the park is enveloped in a mystical atmosphere.
Hotels near Ritsurin Garden
3. Mt. Sekizen's 3,000 Cherry Trees in Ehime
Photo by Pixta
Kamijima Town's Iwagi Island is located in the Seto Island Sea. In the middle of the island, Mt. Sekizen towers 380 meters above sea level. Here, from late March until early April, more than 3,000 cherry trees are in full bloom.
Mt. Sekizen, just like the previously mentioned Mt. Shiude, offers scenic views that combine the islands of the Seto Island Sea with the beautiful cherry blossoms. For more details please see Kamijima Town's official homepage.
To reach Kamijima Town take a ferry from Ikuchi Island. Ikuchi Island is a famous island that's a popular stopping point along the Shimanami Kaido, a route connecting Ehime Prefecture with Hiroshima Prefecture. It has many highlights including art and gourmet food. You can get to Ikuchi Island by car.
Mt. Sekizen Observation Deck
〒794-2410 Iwaki, Kamijima-cho, Ochi-gun, Ehime Prefecture
.
4. Matsuyama Castle in Ehime
Photo by Pixta
Matsuyama Castle is located in the heart of Matsuyama City and is one of Shikoku's most popular spots.
It's only one of twelve castles in Japan that have retained their castle keep (tenshu) from the Edo Period. Visitors can also enjoy taking the ropeway up the mountain to the top.
On the grounds of Matsuyama Castle, there are about 200 cherry trees. In addition to Somei Yoshino cherry trees, there are also early blooming Tsubaki-kanzakura and late blooming Oshimazakura cherry trees.
Many people come to see the magnificent castle brightly decorated with cherry blossoms. For more details on Matsuyama Castle please see the official homepage.
Near Matsuyama Castle, there are many sightseeing spots including a popular hot spring called Dogo Onsen, and the Botchan Train Museum. So we recommend touring the castle area as well.
Matsuyama Castle
1 Marunouchi, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 790-0008
Hotels near Matsuyama Castle
5. Yaoyorozu no Kami no Goten in Tokushima
Photo by Pixta
Yaoyorozu no Kami no Goten is located in the northwest part of Tokushima Prefecture in Mima City.
This religious facility was built to give ancestors of each country, each sect, and each family an opportunity to get together and discuss the prosperity of their descendants. It's also a popular cherry blossom viewing spot that's visited by many people every year.
The grounds of this stately building sit at an elevation of 400 meters. Here there are 8,000 cherry trees with a spectacular view of the mountains behind them.
Admission is 1,000 yen for elementary school children and older. For further details please refer to the official homepage (Japanese).
If you take a taxi from JR Anabuki Station you can get to Yaoyorozu no Kami no Goten in about 15 minutes. Nearby, you'll find Udatsu Townscape, which features various sightseeing facilities.
6. Bizan Park in Tokushima
Photo by Pixta
Mt. Bizan is located ten minutes on foot from JR Tokushima Station.
The ropeway taking passengers to the top of Mt. Bizan 290 meters above sea level and the panoramic view from the summit's observation deck are both popular. There's also a restaurant in the observatory facility.
When spring arrives, Mt. Bizan gets blanketed by the beautiful colors of 1,500 Somei Yoshino cherry trees in full bloom. The area can be easily accessed by train and many people also come to see the blossoms at night.
For the latest information on car restrictions and other topics please visit Tokushima City's official homepage.
7. Hyotan Sakura Park in Kochi
Photo by Pixta
Kochi's Niyodo River is sometimes called Niyodo Blue because of its highly transparent, blue-colored waters.
Nearby you'll find Hyotan Sakura, a giant Ubahigan cherry tree that's 500 years old,
21 meters tall and six meters in circumference at its base. The sight of it standing up tall towards the sky is impressive.
This cherry tree was given the name Hyotan Sakura because the shape of its buds resembles a gourd, or hyotan in Japanese.
During the cherry blossom season the area becomes congested with traffic, so please allow yourself plenty of time when visiting.
Near Hyotan Sakura there's also Owatari Dam Park (google map). This popular cherry blossom spot is known for its scenic view of a red bridge together with the blossoms.
8. Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden is about 30 minutes by bus from JR Kochi Station.
The garden was built in 1958 to recognize the achievements of Kochi-born Tomitaro Makino, often referred to as the father of Japanese plant taxonomy. In addition to more than 3,000 different varieties of plants, visitors can also enjoy a restaurant and shops.
Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden features 40 different species of cherry trees. During the cherry blossom season, an evening illumination and other events are held. Please refer to the official homepage for more details.
Kochi City also features many popular spots such as Hirome Market and Katsurahama, a beautiful public beach. We highly recommend exploring various parts of the city as well.
Enjoy Shikoku's Magnificent Scenery
Shikoku is home to many scenic and memorable sightseeing spots.
Using this article as a reference, please enjoy your cherry blossom viewing and your travels in Shikoku!
Read also
Main Image Mt. Shiude Cherry Blossoms
I worked in a PR agency for corporate IR/CSR and a publisher which publishes a magazine focused on international cooperation before joining MATCHA in October 2017.
In April 2019, I moved to Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture. I write articles for tourists visiting Japan, and also contribute to regional revitalization.
My main focus is on writing about internet services, rental cars, hotels, and tourist attractions in western Japan.
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